Sevilla vs Mallorca preview - Key clash for out-of-form duo

Posted Monday, October 22, 2012 by PA

Sevilla and Real Mallorca will each be looking to get their Primera Division campaigns back on track when they clash at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Monday night.

Both clubs enjoyed impressive starts to the season, picking up 11 points from their opening five games without tasting defeat.

However, those unbeaten records have since disappeared and both Sevilla and Mallorca go into Monday's match looking to bounce back from back-to-back defeats.

Sevilla's first was an agonising one as they conceded twice in the last few minutes to lose 3-2 at home to Barcelona, and Celta Vigo then added to the Andalusian club's pain by also beating them the following weekend.

Sevilla defender Cicinho is eager to make amends for that loss.

He said: "We've been talking a lot about that game, we played very badly, we weren't very attentive, but we are ready for Monday's game.

"We have to win. It doesn't matter what the score is, we need to win."

Cicinho has recovered from a knock to be included in Michel's 18-man squad, along with winger Diego Perotti who has been called up for the first time since May following an injury absence.

Mallorca's two defeats came at the hands of Getafe and Granada and saw them slip to seventh in the table, one spot above Sevilla.

Mallorca will not have it easy as they try to get back on track either as they now face a daunting fixture list which pits them against Sevilla, Real Madrid and Barcelona in three of their next four matches.

Mallorca striker Javier Arizmendi said: "We've got a tough calendar, but everyone plays against everyone else and I'm not thinking about the fixture list. It's true that the upcoming games are in theory going to be harder because they are against big clubs, but I feel this team can compete against any side.

Summer signing Giovani Dos Santos and Andreu Fontas, a recent loan arrival from Barcelona, could make their first Mallorca starts after being included in Joaquin Caparros' squad.